by Winston Sanchez and Kiana Shelton
Boyle Heights residents endured dark smoke and foul odors after a fire blazed in a warehouse for eight days beginning June 17. Putrid smells from rotting food and debris burned in the warehouse continue to worsen. A community meeting is planned Thursday night.
People cross the street in Boyle Heights as smoke rises from the Lineage warehouse fire on June 17. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Toxic runoff floated through the L.A. river and polluted wildlife reservoirs like the Dominguez wetlands, resulting in a “fish die-off,” as reported by the L.A. Times.
Representatives of the Lineage Logistics cold food storage warehouse stated the fire broke out during solar panel maintenance on the roof.
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency as the fire spread quickly through the facility and couldn’t be contained immediately. Residents reported headaches and nausea, and saw an influx of rats in the area.
The air near the warehouse carried astronomically high levels of soot and smoke, according to The Times. While some officials notified residents that the air was “safe,” the black smoke continued for days across downtown Los Angeles to the San Gabriel Valley.
This surpasses the past Los Angeles fires in 2025 according to preliminary data from air officials. The Los Angeles Times found that this year’s Boyle Heights fire measured a dangerous 755 micrograms per cubic meter in contrast to the 650 micrograms per cubic meter that were present during the Eaton fire. Boyle Heights saw an increase in hospital visits and chemicals present in the air.
Impacted Health conditions are being assessed and treated by mobile health clinics in Boyle Heights. These clinics provide services like respiratory health screenings, asthma and breathing assessments, eye and skin irritation evaluations and mental health support.
